Treatment and outcomes of metastatic colorectal cancer in Australia: Defining differences between public and private practice

Abstract

Background: Prior studies have suggested improved outcomes for cancer patients managed in private centres, despite universal healthcare within Australia. Aims: To compare patient, disease, treatment and survival data for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) managed in private versus public centres. Methods: Analysis of prospectively collected registry data for consecutive patients with mCRC managed at 16 participating centres from July 2009. Results: Data for 1065 patients were examined. Age, gender and Charlson comorbidity score were similar for public and private patients. Private patients were more commonly Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score 0-1 (85% vs 78%, P = 0.008), i..